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A Blessing or A Punishment??
2008-04-01 15:41:00
Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”Scripture is clear that it is our Sovereign Lord who is the creator of life and when that life begins. Before we are even formed God knew us and had a plan for us. Who are we, the creation to try and take the place of God in this area of life. To determine who should be given life and who should not. These words of the Lord has had a major impact upon our own journey.I am u...
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Weblink Education Launch
2008-04-01 15:06:00
My good friend Valerie has launched a NEW homeschool resource website.No more guessing if a site is for teachers only,No more wondering what a particular website offers,No more guessing if the material you're viewing is free or not,And no more jumping around from site to site to find something you need...It's All Done For YOUAll Weblinks are Mom tested and Mom approved!Education al Links Parent/Teacher Resource Lists Unit Study Help Homeschooling State Law InformationFamily SupportTop Homeschooling Curriculum Choice InformationHomeschooling Help Through High School Homeschooling with Special Needs...and Much More!Take some time and check out the new site. It is sure to be one resource you will want to utilize again and again. Either click on the image or follow this link: Weblink Education.
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Wednesday Hero
2008-03-31 17:21:00
This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Mary AnnSpc. Jeffrey JamaleldineCompany C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor"How can I say to my sons, stand up for something, fight for what you think is right, if I don't do anything myself?"The Jeffrey Jamaleldine that you speak to today is a complete 180 from the Jeffrey Jamaleldine that you would have spoke to in the past. In 1991, Jamaleldin was living in Germany when joined in anti-American protests on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm boulevard during Operation Desert Storm. "That was the way it was back then," he says. He was 15 and "America was simply the enemy." And today, Jeffery Jamaleldine is a wounded veteran of the U.S. Army. On June 6, 2005, after the terror bombing in Madrid, Spain, in the middle of the Iraq war, he showed up at the U.S. Army recruiting office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to enlist. His father, Bashir, told him at the time: "Son, this won't be a picnic."On June 30, Jamaleldine was on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. The patrol ahead of h...
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Fruitful Vine & Olive Shoots
2008-03-31 15:27:00
Psalm 128:3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.A Fruitful Vine, how many women today are seen as being a fruitful vine? How many women today would want to see themselves that way? How many women today find themselves within their house? Many are out earning a monetary check. It is a blessing of the Lord when a man has his wife within his home and if she is a fruitful vine. This fruitful vine refers to childbearing, having children spring forth and growing to maturity.The olive tree reproduces by sending up shoots from its roots. If not trimmed they surround the trunk, just like the psalmist's blessing of many children around your table. Olive trees were a symbol of blessing to the Israelites. When they saw the new olive shoots coming up around their olive trees, they knew they were blessed. (Deuteronomy 6:11; 8:8).If allowed to grow, these shoots become new trees that also bear fruit. It is not unusual ...
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SSgt. Matt Maupin Found
2008-03-31 14:19:00
In April of last year, Wednesday Hero profiled SSgt. Keith "Matt " Maupin who had went missing in Iraq in April of 2004. Sad news. SSg. Maupin's remains have been found. "My heart sinks, but I know they can't hurt him anymore," Keith Maupin said after receiving word about the remains of his son, who went by Matt.The Army didn't say how or where in Iraq his son's remains were discovered, only that the identification was made with DNA testing, Maupin said. A shirt similar to the one his son was wearing at the time of his disappearance was also found.Thanks to Lt. Schneider

New Life
2008-03-30 15:30:00
Springtime is a time when we are reminded of new life. We have just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, another reminder of new life, life eternal. Each of us has a soul that will endure forever whether that be in eternal life or in eternal death. Much is at stake. Will those of us who have eternal life take the message of the saving gospel to those who are as of yet eternally dead? As parents are we raising our children up in the training and admonition of the Lord? Are our lives a reflection of Christ and the new life he has bestowed upon us? Are we a pleasing aroma before the throne of grace? As we see the beginnings of spring and all of the new life that is budding and sprouting forth may it be a reminder to us to share the new life given us by Precious Lamb of God!Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!John 3: 16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not peris...
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Photo Hunt - High
2008-03-29 18:25:00
This week's photo theme is high so I am posting a photo my daughter took out the airplane window! They were up very high! Click here for more Photo Hunt .
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Blessed Assurance
2008-03-29 18:17:00
John 20:31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long;This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long.Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long;This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long.Perfect submission, all is at rest I in my Savior am happy and blest,Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long;This is my story, this is my song, Praising m...
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Salsa Versus Salt
2008-03-28 14:04:00
Several years ago, I attended a ladies function. The theme was "Be the Salsa of the Earth." This was taken from the salt reference in Matthew chapter 5. Everything was decorated with a fiesta theme and some delicious Mexican food was served. All was very festive and everyone had a lot of fun. I had some reservations back then about the twist in the theme and over the years a nagging concern has lingered.In this day and age we tend to try and make everything pleasing, fun, and relevant. This often waters down the Word of God. You may be thinking that I am over reacting but I have learned in recent years that words really do mean a lot. I am not the most articulate person in the world but I attempt to use words accurately. I fully admit that I do often fail.Is there really a problem in using the fun and the idea of salsa instead of salt? I would venture to say yes! God uses the words he does for a reason. Salsa is a fun theme. It is festive, fun, colorful and adds spice t...
More About: Versus , Salt

Fruit of the Spirit
2008-03-27 21:00:00
I have been honored to be selected to display the Fruit of the Spirit graphic on my blog and I will strive to continue to live up to what it represents.In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit ~ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit of the Spirit graphic was developed in an effort to recognize bloggers whose writings and postings in the blogosphere give us a glimpse of this fruit in their lives.There are many blogger and non-bloggers alike who have agreed to partner together in recognizing and honoring those whose writings, postings and lives exemplify how God works in and through His people. When we recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit resides within us. It is the Holy Spirit who produces fruit in our lives ~ but He has also given us the honor and the duty of recognizing the fruit in other believers.I welcome your help in spreading this "bless...
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You Might be a Large Family If.........
2008-03-27 14:19:00
You take up a whole pew at church.When you laugh and shake your head at so called "family-sized" products.Cheaper by the Dozen is one of your favorite movies.You buy milk 5 gallons at a time.You need a minimum of 2 carts in the grocery store.The children are lonely when there are only 4 of them home.People ask "are they all yours?"You leave half of the children home when you shop, and people still ask if they're all yours.You own at least three sets of bunkbeds.Your grocery budget resembles your house payment.You just really wish people would not think they were clever for saying, "Don't you know what causes that?"You have forgotten how many times you have been asked, "Are you Mormon or Catholic?"When you see photos of castles and grand mansions, all you can think is how many bedrooms it has (YES!), and how much space all those other rooms provide for the kids to mess up (NO WAY!).
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Wordless Wednesday
2008-03-26 14:30:00
Here are my two oldest girls riding the Steel Eel at Sea World. I think they had a good time! Also, if you do not know about our latest blessing scroll down two posts or LOOK HERE.
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Weblink Wednesday - Special Needs
2008-03-26 14:22:00
This week Miss Valerie asked for some special needs resources so that is what I have listed. I hope they are useful to you. Check out more of the links at Weblink Wednesday .NATHHAN National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated NetworkChristian Families Homeschooling Special Needs ChildrenWhat is ADHD . . . of the Christian Kind?The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education - ideal for dyslexia.AVKO Educational Resource....ideal for learning disabilities.
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Rejoicing!
2008-03-25 06:02:00
As you all know I am a momma to many children. I consider each one a blessing and a gift from the Lord. They are great gifts which are a great responsibility. This is a responsibility my husband and I take very seriously. Several of my regular readers have read about how my husband and I view children and the Lord God's sovereignty in this area of our lives. If you have not read our testimony, please take a moment to read about our journey. After you read it, please come back and comment here.....Announcing #9........Three in a row and a positive blood test too!Psalm 127:3Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.Malachi 2:15aDid he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.Praise be to God! Thank you Lord!
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A Birthday with the Phantom
2008-03-24 17:16:00
Wow, has it been a busy week! Some of you may have noticed I have been a bit behind in my posting lately. My mother came for a visit, we ended up with a flu bug, and celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Today is our number 5 child's birthday. She turns 10 years old today. This comes with many perks. She hits the double digits, gets her military id card, and a later bedtime! We celebrated by taking her to see Phantom of the Opera at the opera house. She loved it and was just beaming!! We all had a great time. Happy birthday sweetheart; we love you!
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Preparation
2008-03-22 14:56:00
This week, in preparation fro Resurrection Sunday I would like to share a few scriptures from our Good Friday service.Jeremiah 25:15,28Thus the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.“And if they refuse to accept the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: You must drink!Matthew 26:39And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”John 19:28-30After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
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Photo Hunt: Metal
2008-03-22 14:51:00
This week's theme for Photo Hunt is metal. Here is a metal fence between my girls and a beautiful horse.More PhotoHunters
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Teaching With Resurrection Cookies
2008-03-22 00:06:00
Making Resurrection Cookies is a tangible way to teach your young children about the Resurrection of Christ. I received a basic recipe for this but have expounded upon it. I hope that this can be a blessing to your family as you celebrate the Resurrection of Christ Jesus!These are to be made the evening before Resurrection Sunday.ingredients:1 cup whole pecans1 tsp. vinegar3 egg whitespinch of salt1 cup sugaryou will also need:ziplock bagswooden spoonmasking tapeBiblePreheat your oven to 300 degrees F.1. Explain how we are all sinners and are in need of a Savior.Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GodJesus has come to be the Savior of sinners.Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.2. Place pecans in a ziplock bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Jesus was beaten and br...
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Win Rosetta Stone
2008-03-20 16:43:00
Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE! This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents ...
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Exercise?? Who Me???
2008-02-17 21:58:00
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IS TO BE READ WITH HUMOR!!!There is a little rumor floating around the blogosphere that I would like to dispel. The rumor is that I am responsible, in part, for this exercise thing. Ummm, I hate exercise! So this is a warning out there to all of you, be careful what you post in a comment it may just implicate you in something you were not expecting. I left a nice and what I thought was an innocent comment over on Becca's blog and she ran with it! What is with that??? All I did was ask her if she was issuing a challenge and then she goes and does issue one! She says I was issuing a challenge to issue a challenge. Really, really I wasn't!!! **GRIN** Okay, that paragraph was ALL in fun!!!! You know, Becca makes a great point in her post concerning this exercise challenge. The following is a small excerpt.All you Moms of Many out there.....we need to stay in shape! God's blessings are many, but that doesn't mean we get to sit back and do nothing...
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Pray for Your Children-Pt. 2
2008-02-17 15:59:00
1. Salvation~ Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)2. Growth in Grace~ I pray that they may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)3. Love~ Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)4. Honesty and Integrity~ May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.(Proverbs 25:21)5. Self-Control~ Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be "alert and self-controlled" in all they do. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)6. A Love for God’s Word~ May my children grow to find Your Word "more precious than gold, than much pure gold; (and) sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:10)7. Justice~ God, help my children to love justice as You do and to "act justly" in all they do. ...
More About: Children , Pray

New Link Buttons
2008-02-16 21:45:00
My dear friend, Valerie, has blessed me by making these beautiful linking buttons!! If you would like to link to me here just copy the code and paste it into your template. I would be honored if you chose to do so! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the new buttons. Pop on over to Valerie's and let her know what a great job she did!
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Another Short Quiverfull Carnival
2008-02-16 16:07:00
I am breaking from my typical Saturday postings today. I sat here trying to work on them but they were just not coming together. This post has been sitting in draft form for a while and was staring me down. So today must be the day to post it. Please visit the links, leave comments, and be blessed by the testimonies given. Hopefully, you will leave a comment here too.Here is our second Quiverful Carnival .Lisa from Me & My House writes: "How can children be so controversial, especially in Christian circles? It doesn’t seem to be so in Muslim circles, or Mormon circles, and it wasn’t in Christian circles prior to the mid-1900’s either. But it is today. So this post will no doubt be controversial."Read more of her article, Children~ A Heritage.Jennifer Posted an article written by Jewish Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on The Blessings of Children. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is the recipient of the American Jewish Press Association’s Award for Excellence in Commentary, and the in...
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Homeschool Organization Show & Tell
2008-02-15 14:36:00
For Show and Tell I thought I would share how I organize my teacher materials and resources. I have a specific place for things and they are easily accessible, not only to me but also to the children who will need them. This makes things flow pretty smoothly during school. I have two bookshelves located in the hallway about ten steps from where we have school. It is easy for me to pull things out and to replace them. I typically pull out everything I will need that day and replace it as I finish with it. This gives me a visible and tangible way to tell what I have accomplished and what is still left to be done. The children can go and get their resource books and replace them as needed. Below is a photo of our two bookshelves piled with 95% of our schooling curriculum. Even if it is not a grade we are utilizing this year, it is still on the shelves. Next week I will share how we organize the individual children's books and supplies. If you click on the image it should op...
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The Homeschool Lounge Debut
2008-02-14 16:14:00
To all of you homeschooling moms out there, The Homeschool Lounge is making its big debut! Tiany from Less of Me ~ More of Him and her husband, Troy have worked diligently to bring us this awesome resource.The Homeschool Lounge is a FREE online social network community for Homeschool Moms; the very first of its kind! The vision of The Homeschool Lounge is to connect Homeschool Moms from all corners of the web; get advice, give advice, share, learn and laugh with those who truly understand you. There is something for everyone inside the many pages of this pioneer website so go check it out!Site Features Include:* Create your own space* Start or join discussions in our Forum* Start or join a group* Start a Blog or Promote an existing Blog* Create a slide show widget of your pictures for your blog* Photo Gallery* Video Gallery* Live Chat* Invite other Homeschool Moms, friends and familyWe invite you to join us, share tips and advice, and find encouragement, ...
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Thursday Thirteen
2008-02-14 16:01:00
Well, I am stumped for this week. As I sit here trying to decide what 13 things to write about, I have noticed how messy my computer desk has become. So before I clean it I thought I would post 13 things sitting here on my computer desk at this very moment.checkbookyesterday's mailvideo camera1200 page book of Christian quotationsdiet cokeempty oatmeal bowlWooly Willy toy, you know the face with shaving that you can move around with the magic pencil to make fun hair!DIVE CD that contains Algebra lessons on ittricycle petaltravel bottle of lotionmy 9 year old's address bookTable Talk magazineA book I need to mailWell, there you go! Now it is time to clean! Have an awesome Thursday 13!
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Comparing Winters
2008-02-13 14:52:00
This time last winter up North.This winter down South.
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Making Rockets
2008-02-13 14:21:00
In honor of my friend Valerie's post yesterday on paper airplanes, I simply could not pass up posting this link today for Weblink Wednesday. This is a link for making paper rockets!! WooHoo!Kids love rockets, and here is an easy craft activity that almost any age child can do. These are great for "just fun" times, or as a junior craft when older children are busy with real rockets. Just print, color, and follow the directions!For more fun you can experiment with the variables. Try using different weights of paper, or different size bodies. Move the fins into different positions and see how it flies, or make your own fins that are cut at different angles.So follow the link and enjoy making your own paper rockets! SIMPLE ROCKET ACTIVITYFor More Weblink Wednesday Click on the Duck Image Above.
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Wednesday Hero
2008-02-13 13:00:00
Cpl. Ryan J. Buckley21 years old from Nokomis, Illinois2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne (Air Assault)June 26, 2006"His platoon leaders described him as the type of soldier every leader wants: A very talented, dedicated soldier, who did everything that was asked of him." That's what Lt. Col. Greg Butts, commander of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, said about Cpl. Ryan J. Buckley at his memorial service. "I'm glad I could come here. It was an opportunity to recognize one of my great soldiers."Cpl. Buckley lost his life on June 26, 2006 when an IED detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad. "I held him while he died," Spc. Richard Morris, a fellow soldier who was wounded in the attack, said after the service. "He was my best friend. This nation has lost a hell of a soldier."Ryan Buckley, a 2003 graduate of Hillsboro High School, was attending Lincoln Land Community Colle...
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The Revival the Church Doesn't Know About
2008-02-12 14:50:00
I ran across a snippet of an article the other day. A lady on my blogroll had posted it. It said some things that I often find myself feeling. I immediately went and read the entire article and it was well worth my time. I have posted just a portion of the article here and would encourage you to go and read the rest. The warning below is from the actual article. So be warned, you will be challenged, you must decide what will you do with that challenge.Warning: Offensive post to Sunday-only Christians ahead. Proceed with cautionWe struggle with discussing the issue of sound Biblical doctrine, multi-generational vision, family worship, Biblical gender roles and the like because we know it easily offends those who also claim Christ but for some reason or another do not hold to these teachings in scripture. We struggle with how to discuss these things without being perceived as prideful or "holier than thou", or haughty. But in all honesty, we can't cease speaking what the Bible s...
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